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Algonac turmoil mounts with recall filings

Turnover in Algonac leadership could continue after recall language was filed for two City Council members Tuesday — concentrating on contentious events from over the past year.

The filing came the same day as news of City Manager Doug Alexander’s resignation, which was one reason cited in the proposed recall of Councilwoman Irene Bird. Language for Councilman Joe Nugent was also filed.

Resident Amanda Gougeon filed the paperwork and has been among the more vocal residents about community issues since spring 2016 when local officials were widely criticized over conversations with Woodside Bible Church leaders, who’d proposed to occupy the former Algonac Elementary School.

Woodside has since announced a change in plans, but Gougeon said the recent attempt to oust Alexander has “made it definitely more obvious than ever the board is being steered in a direction” not supported by residents.

“We’ve wanted to recall the both of them since their involvement about Woodside,” she said. “But we held off because there was an impending election and, even though those two weren’t up, we wanted to see what the makeup of the board would be.”

In November, voters elected Eileen Tesch to the council, and she was appointed mayor later that month.

Since, residents have often contested decisions when Tesch, Bird, Nugent and, at times, Councilman Mark Thompson have voted on the same side, such as the Feb. 7 call to not excuse Councilwoman Helen Meldrum’s meeting absence.

Recall reasons for both include their being asked on April 12, 2016, about attending meetings about the elementary school and Woodside — something the language alleges they denied, refusing to provide minutes, a list of attendees and their role in those discussions.

Language against Bird also addresses a more recent event.

“On Feb. 10, 2017, Councilwoman Bird met with Clay Township Supervisor Artie Bryson at approximately 10 a.m. to inform him that Algonac City Manager Doug Alexander had been terminated,” it states. “A special meeting to discuss Alexander’s employment with the rest of Algonac City Council was not requested until 3:40 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2017. The special meeting regarding Alexander’s employment was scheduled for Feb. 14, 2017. Councilwoman Bird has denied involvement in the meeting.”

Alexander came to work for the last time on Wednesday.

News of his resignation came during Tuesday night's regular meeting, but by late Wednesday morning, he kept the focus on his support after more than a week since the first attempt to oust him.

“After the tremendous show of support I received from city employees and residents I could have stayed on, but I made the decision to leave,” Alexander said in a statement. “It was just time. I was treated very fairly by the City Council in their unanimous decision to approve the severance package I am being provided. I wish the people of Algonac well.”

Alexander's job performance had been the subject of a special council meeting Feb. 14 called by Tesch. She sought a vote to terminate his contract, but after more than an hour in closed session, no decision was reached.

On Tuesday, council members began the meeting with another closed session.

No reason was officially stated for his resignation, and residents during public comment expressed disappointment.

Some council members echoed residents’ sentiments.

“I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that we were willing to spend extra city money that we don’t have to get rid of somebody that was doing the job to the best of their ability and we still don’t have a reason why he resigned,” Mayor Pro Tem Michael Bembas said at the end of the meeting. “Now we all know why he resigned, it’s a working thing. But what more could I say that you don’t know?”

The severance package included a year’s salary, which Alexander said is $79,201 plus $8,000 in deferred compensation, and 18 months of health benefits.

On Wednesday, Tesch said that agreement was reached after "a breakdown in the relationship" between council and Alexander, adding they "are going their separate ways amicably or going their separate ways in the best interest of both parties."

Council agreed to approach Algonac Treasurer Linda Mackie about fulfilling the city manager’s duties. City Clerk Cindi Greenia said City Council hold another special meeting at 7 p.m. next Tuesday to begin talks about the replacement process.

Bembas questioned whether the city clerk and treasurer’s jobs would be secure in light of Alexander leaving. He also mentioned the departure of the city’s longtime public service director, Mark Scott, who Greenia confirmed Wednesday is leaving for another job after more than 20 years with the city.

“These employees are scared out of their minds about being fired,” Bembas said Tuesday night.

When asked about the security of other city employees’ jobs, Tesch had replied, “I’m only one vote.”

Alexander had been hired as city manager in 2012.

Some residents have expressed their hope to recall Tesch and some council members. But Tesch is ineligible for recall within the first year of her four-year term.

A recall hearing has been set for 9:30 a.m. March 10. The language must be approved by the St. Clair County Election Commission, which includes Clerk Jay DeBoyer, Treasurer Kelly Roberts-Burnett and Probate Judge Elwood Brown.

If approved, Gougeon said she doesn’t believe she will have any trouble collecting signatures.

“I think it’s fairly obvious with this last maneuver to get rid of (Doug) Alexander,” she said. “(Mayor Tesch) can no-comment all she wants. It’s completely wrong to keep the public in the dark like this. And this is not the first time it’s happened. They keep having these meetings. It’s not the way you’re supposed to operate.”

Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.